Oil leaks into Sonatrach’s plant in southern Algeria

A leak in oil pumping plant SP1 in Ain Amenas was about to cause a catastrophe if a small spark took place, Echorouk has learnt.

The leak could have been avoided if the opinion of engineers and technicians was taken in consideration. They asked the administration to change spare parts and do maintenance on a device which measures oil pressure in pipelines. It was partially broken down and they asked to replace it with a new one. 

Photos show that thousands of oil liters leaked in large parts of the plant reaching some storing houses and workshops.

According to the same sources, technicians and engineers tried to stop the leak. Dirt was thrown on oil lac instead of sweeping the leaks.

“It is a waste of people’s resources while the country is hit by the oil crisis,” said the representative of the Algerian Workers’ General Union at Sonatrach.

He held the administration responsible for the incident.

Ealier oil leaked in PK92 30 plant in Ain Amenass when workers were repairing a pipeline.